August 1, 2019

STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, August 1, 2019

PRESENT:
Dwight Takeno, Committee Chairperson
Kaimana Barcarse, Committee Vice Chairperson
Margaret Cox
Kili Namauʻu
Catherine Payne
Kenneth Uemura
Bruce Voss, Esq.
Nolan Kawano, Ex Officio

EXCUSED:
Brian De Lima, Esq.

ALSO PRESENT:
Donna Lum Kagawa, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design
Heidi Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Student Support Services
Cynthia Covell, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Kenyon Tam, Board Analyst
Regina Pascua, Board Private Secretary
Irina Dana, Secretary

I. Call to Order

The Human Resources Committee (“Committee”) meeting was called to order by Committee Chairperson Dwight Takeno at 9:30 a.m.

II. Public testimony on Human Resources Committee (“Committee” or “HR”) agenda items

Committee Chairperson Takeno called for public testimony. The following people provided oral testimony.

Name	Organization	Agenda Item	Position
Josh Heimowitz	Teach for America	IV.A. Committee Action on identification and selection of individuals for a working group tasked with work ensuring Board policies enable Board and Department collect necessary teacher retention data and implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies (HR Strategic Priority 2)	Comment
Corey Rosenlee	Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association	IV.A. Committee Action on identification and selection of individuals for a working group tasked with work ensuring Board policies enable Board and Department collect necessary teacher retention data and implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies (HR Strategic Priority 2)	Support/Comment

Josh Heimowitz, Teach for America, testified on the Committee’s identification and selection of individuals for a working group tasked with work ensuring Board of Education (“Board”) policies enable the Board and Department of Education (“Department”) to collect necessary teacher retention data and implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies. He asked the Committee to consider expanding its stakeholder list to include individuals who are part of or plan to be teachers, including individuals who are part of various teaching programs and who are currently in school.

Committee Member Cox entered at 9:34 a.m.

Heimowitz emphasized that these individuals could provide important insight and perspective on teacher recruitment policies and initiatives.

Corey Rosenlee, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association (“HSTA”), expressed concern regarding the implementation of the Special Education Task Force’s recommendations and highlighted that HSTA would like to work with the Committee to create a timeline to implement new or revised policies.

The Committee also received written testimony. The following is a listing of the people that submitted written testimony before the testimony deadline.

Name	Organization	Agenda Item	Position
Corey Rosenlee	Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association	IV.A. Committee Action on identification and selection of individuals for a working group tasked with work ensuring Board policies enable Board and Department collect necessary teacher retention data and implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies (HR Strategic Priority 2)	Support/Comment

III. Approval of Meeting Minutes of April 18, 2019

ACTION: Motion to approve the Human Resources Committee Meeting minutes of April 18, 2019 (Uemura/Barcarse). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

IV. Recommendation for Action

Committee Action on identification and selection of individuals for a working group tasked with work ensuring Board policies enable Board and Department collect necessary teacher retention data and implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies (HR Strategic Priority 2)

Committee Chairperson Takeno reviewed the identification and selection of individuals for a working group tasked with work ensuring that Board policies enable the Board and Department to collect necessary teacher retention data and implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies.

Committee Chairperson Takeno detailed that the Board adopted committee strategic priorities for the 2019-2020 school year at its last meeting. The Committee’s second priority requires the Committee to ensure that policies and structures are in place to enable the Board and Department to do two activities. The first activity is to collect and analyze robust data necessary to identify, prioritize, and address significant issues related to teacher retention, and the second is to implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies to address teacher salary and certification issues.

Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that the Committee must create and establish a working group consisting of representatives of various stakeholders with interest and expertise in the areas of teacher retention data and strategies, knowledge, and understanding of existing teacher salaries and collective bargaining laws and teacher certification requirements. He noted that this working group would be responsible for reviewing existing Board policies and generating a report to the Committee with recommended policy changes, as applicable.

Committee Member Kenneth Uemura moved to:

(1) Authorize Committee Chairperson Takeno to identify and select individuals to serve on a working group tasked with:

(a) Reviewing Board Policies E-204 , 204-1, 204-5, any other relevant Board policies, the Department’s teacher salary study, and any existing structures related to the collection and analysis of teacher retention data, teacher salaries, and teacher certification; and

(b) Generating a comprehensive report to the Committee that describes and recommends any policy changes necessary to:

(i) Collect and analyze robust data necessary to effectively identify, prioritize, and address significant issues related to teacher retention; and

(ii) Implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies to address teacher salary and certification issues; and

(2) Designate Committee Chairperson Takeno as the Committee’s representative to and chairperson of the working group.

Committee Member Kaimana Barcarse seconded.

Committee Chairperson Takeno noted that he recommended approving stakeholder groups versus individuals. He explained that it is important for the Committee to first discuss the stakeholder groups that would be most beneficial and helpful to the working group in meeting its charge. He could approach individuals once the Committee identifies stakeholder groups to see if they would be willing to participate as a member of the working group. He could then make the names public once the individuals have accepted the invitation. He stated that he plans to report to the Committee regularly on the working group’s progress.

Committee Member Kenneth Uemura asked if Committee Chairperson Takeno wants the Committee to add specific stakeholders to the list. Committee Chairperson Takeno explained that he is not looking for names and noted that the list in his memorandum includes suggested stakeholder groups. He stated that the Committee could expand the suggested list. Committee Member Uemura stated that the Committee’s action authorizes Committee Chairperson Takeno to expand the list of stakeholders. Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that he wants the Committee to provide input.

Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that the Committee could appoint one Committee member to the working group. Committee Member Catherine Payne stated that the Committee is reviewing the stakeholder groups rather than appointments. Committee Chairperson Takeno confirmed that this is correct. He stated that the Committee could consider whether to expand the list of recommended stakeholders and emphasized the importance of diversity.

Committee Member Payne suggested that the Committee add the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board (“HTSB”) to the list of relevant stakeholders. She stated that members of HTSB also serve on other boards, including the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee (“TECC”) and the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa College of Education. She noted that the working group could remain smaller if members serve on various boards. Committee Member Payne suggested that the Committee also add Teach for America.

Ex Officio Committee Member Nolan Kawano suggested that the working group align itself with the Department by reviewing issues through a talent management lens. He stated that the purpose of talent management is to place the best teachers in the classroom rather than recruiting as many teachers as possible. He stated that an example of talent management is the military managing talent by hiring civilians to work alongside members of the military. Ex Officio Committee Member Kawano suggested that the Committee add individual stakeholders to its list of relevant stakeholders, including unlicensed teachers, former teachers, teachers participating in Teach for America, and seniors enrolled in university teaching programs. He stated that it is important for the working group to gather insight from individuals that the Board’s policies would affect. Ex Officio Committee Member Kawano stated that the Committee should divide its list into three different categories, including institutional stakeholders, such as the Department, HSTA, and HTSB; community and nonprofit organizations; and individual stakeholders.

Committee Member Kili Namauʻu suggested that the Committee expand its list to include Hawaiian immersion programs and schools. She stated that Hawaiian language departments are struggling to recruit teachers and experiencing a teacher shortage.

Committee Member Payne stated that the Committee should expand its list to include other state-approved teacher education institutions, such as Chaminade University and Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

Committee Member Kaimana Barcarse suggested that the Committee include the Kahuawaiola Hawaiian and Indigenous Teacher Education Program. He noted that the Committee should include teacher certification organizations in addition to Hawaiian immersion support. Committee Chairperson Takeno asked if Committee Member Barcarse is suggesting that the Committee categorize the program under Hawaiian immersion. Committee Member Barcarse explained that the program is a teacher certification program that certifies immersion. He noted that it is not an immersion program.

Committee Bruce Voss stated that he is uncomfortable with the term “stakeholders.” He stated that the term is used as a euphemism to include a range of groups and can be ineffective. He stated that the working group is specifically focusing on teacher retention and recruitment, and teachers should be the first group of relevant stakeholders. He emphasized that teachers understand strategies and change that can affect retention. Committee Member Voss stated that organizations such as HSTA and TECC provide valuable perspectives, but current teachers could provide new ideas.

Committee Chairperson Takeno suggested re-categorizing relevant stakeholders. The first group could include teachers. The second group could include Department administration, school administrators, HSTA, TECC, higher education institutions with State-approved teacher education programs (“SATEP”), legislators, community and nonprofit organizations, business organizations, HTSB, Teach for America, institutional stakeholders, individual stakeholders with an interest in teaching, Hawaiian immersion programs, and Hawaiian teacher preparation programs. He stated that this list would encompass the Committee’s suggestions. He noted that the working group might not have a representative from each stakeholder group, but Committee Chairperson Takeno would identify and select stakeholders from the recommended groups.

Committee Member Payne asked about the language of the recommendation in Committee Chairperson Takeno’s memorandum regarding relevant stakeholder groups. Committee Chairperson Takeno explained that the recommendation states regarding relevant stakeholders states “may include” instead of “shall include” because it provides flexibility.

Committee Member Voss moved to amend the main motion to expand the suggested stakeholder list in Committee Chairperson’s memorandum, dated August 1, 2019, to include teachers, Department administration, school administrators, HSTA, TECC, higher education institutions with SATEP, legislators, community and nonprofit organizations, business organizations, HTSB, Teach for America, institutional stakeholders, individual stakeholders with an interest in teaching, Hawaiian immersion programs, and Hawaiian teacher preparation programs. Committee Member Margaret Cox seconded.

Cynthia Covell, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Talent Management, stated that the Department does not have additional recommendations. She stated that the Department would support the working group shifting its focus to review issues through a talent management lens. Covell detailed that the teacher shortage is critical, but teacher support areas are also experiencing shortages, such as educational assistants. She recommended that the working group identify other areas that are in need of focus once it finishes reviewing teacher recruitment and retention. Covell noted that educational assistants help teachers in classrooms and sometimes become teachers. She stated that she supports the shift to talent management because all levels within the Department need to recruit and retain employees.

Committee Member Voss stated he agrees with the talent management approach, but the working group is focusing on developing specific recommendations to potentially amend or revise Board policies and propose to the Legislature for implementation. He cautioned against the working group focusing on too broad of areas because the working group needs to recommend specific ideas that the Board and Department could implement. Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that the working group could agree to specific tasks with specific deliverables to stay focused.

ACTION: The primary amendment carried with all members present voting aye.

ACTION: Amended main motion to:

(1)

Authorize Committee Chairperson Takeno to identify and select individuals to serve on a working group tasked with:

(a)

Reviewing Board Policies E-204 , 204-1, 204-5, any other relevant Board policies, the Department’s teacher salary study, and any existing structures related to the collection and analysis of teacher retention data, teacher salaries, and teacher certification; and

(b)

Generating a comprehensive report to the Committee that describes and recommends any policy changes necessary to:

(i)

Collect and analyze robust data necessary to effectively identify, prioritize, and address significant issues related to teacher retention; and

(ii)

Implement bold teacher recruitment and retention strategies to address teacher salary and certification issues;

(2)

Designate Committee Chairperson Takeno as the Committee’s representative to and chairperson of the working group; and

(3)

Expand the suggested stakeholder list in Committee Chairperson’s memorandum, dated August 1, 2019, to include teachers, Department administration, school administrators, HSTA, TECC, higher education institutions with SATEP, legislators, community and nonprofit organizations, business organizations, HTSB, Teach for America, institutional stakeholders, individual stakeholders with an interest in teaching, Hawaiian immersion programs, and Hawaiian teacher preparation programs.

The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

Committee Action on a work plan and timeline to ensure Board policies support the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force’s 2018 summative report and the English Learners Task Force’s 2018 summative report (HR Strategic Priority 1)

Committee Chairperson Takeno reviewed a work plan and timeline to ensure that Board policies support the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force’s 2018 summative report and the English Learners (“EL”) Task Force’s 2018 summative report. He detailed that the Committee is to review existing Board policies and to generate a report with proposed policy changes to Board policies to better support the recommendations of the two taskforces. The Committee needs to make final policy recommendations to the Board by May 7, 2020.

Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that his memorandum provides several options for a work plan and timeline for the Committee’s consideration. The first option is has the Department providing significant supports to the Committee while the Committee directs the Department and reviews its work. The second option is has the Committee working as a whole while the Department provides support as directed. The third option has Committee members dividing the work among themselves while the Department provides support as directed. Committee Chairperson Takeno recommended that the Committee select one of the three options for a work plan and timeline described in his memorandum or, in the absence of an agreement over the three options, to develop and approve a different work plan and timeline.

Committee Member Uemura moved to approve option one for a work plan and timeline as described in Committee Chairperson Takeno’s memorandum dated August 1, 2019. Committee Member Payne seconded.

Committee Member Voss suggested that the Committee select the option that it believes would produce results. He stated that Board policies are under the Board’s authority, and it does not make sense for the Board to delegate review of Board policies to the Department. The Committee’s role is to review policies and ask for the Department’s recommendations if its policies are ineffective. Committee Member Voss asked about the difference between the second and third options.

Committee Chairperson Takeno explained that the Committee would review its policies and request the Department’s support if it chose to select the second option.

Committee Member Voss asked about Committee Chairperson Takeno’s preference. Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that the Department’s input is key in reviewing policies because the Department develops internal procedures to implement policies. He stated that the Committee would be reviewing policies but would not be reviewing procedures that are already in effect to meet the mandates of policies. He noted that it is important for the Department to maintain a primary role because policies are broad and the importance lies within how the Department implements policy. The Department would be able to provide the Committee with a holistic view of what happens after the Committee and Board adopt policies. He stated that his preference is for the Committee to select the first or third option.

Ex Officio Committee Member Nolan Kawano stated that special education is broad and includes many areas. He suggested that the Committee select either the first or the third option. Ex Officio Committee Member Kawano suggested that policy review regarding special education might be a multi-year project because it would involve review of special education and its various components. The Committee might determine that it needs to create policy regarding inclusion, individualized education programs, classroom furniture, teachers, or staffing. He stated that it is important for the Committee to focus on one area and create appropriate policy rather than review special education broadly. He stated that it would be most efficient for the Committee to select the third option because the Department’s insight is imperative.

Committee Member Voss stated that the first option burdens the Department with a heavy workload and sets deadlines for the beginning of the school year. He expressed concern over the Committee burdening the Department to present proposals during a busy period.

Committee Member Payne agreed with Committee Member Voss. She stated that she supports the third option because it involves co-leadership and presents the Committee with an opportunity to work collaboratively with the Department. She noted that the third option’s timeline is more reasonable. Committee Member Voss stated that he supports the Committee selecting the third option.

Committee Member Uemura asked if Committee Chairperson Takeno and other stakeholders would review policies. Committee Member Payne clarified that the Committee is not creating a working group to address this strategic priority.

Committee Member Uemura stated that he supports the first option because it provides the Department with an opportunity to communicate whether the Board’s policies support the taskforces’ recommendations while the Committee still maintains oversight and provides the Department with direction. He noted that the Department would provide initial feedback regarding implementation. Committee Member Uemura stated that he also supports the third option because it divides the work while the Committee has the authority to direct the Department and request specific information.

Committee Member Uemura noted that other Board committees are selecting similar options and timelines, so the Department would need to provide each committee with information in a short time. He suggested that the Committee review its timeline to determine whether it needs to make adjustments.

Committee Member Margaret Cox asked if the taskforces would be reporting to the Committee and asked about the Department’s role. She asked if different levels would provide the Committee with information, including the state level, complex area level, and school level. Committee Member Cox agreed with Committee Member Kawano that the recommendation and work appear too broad and asked for clarification. Committee Chairperson Takeno detailed that his memorandum explains the process. He explained that the taskforce reports include specific objectives.

Committee Member Cox asked about the role of both taskforces and the Department. Committee Member Payne clarified that the Special Education Task Force and EL Task Force developed summative reports, and the Committee would be reviewing how Board policies could better support the recommendations in both reports. She emphasized the importance of the Board’s policies aligning with the recommendations in the reports. Committee Member Cox noted that the Committee would need to devote time to review its policies and ensure alignment to the reports. She asked if the Committee would assign work to the Department.

Committee Chairperson Takeno clarified that other Committee members are concerned that the Committee might be burdening the Department. Committee Chairperson Cox agreed and noted that multiple committees are going to request information from the Department. She expressed concern over the entirety of the process.

Committee Chairperson Takeno agreed with concerns and noted that the Committee might not receive detailed and relevant information if the Department is overburdened, which might result in its recommendations falling short.

Committee Member Cox stated that the review and recommendations might not be effective if the Department is overburdened and does not have enough time. She agreed with Ex Officio Committee Member Kawano that special education is broad, and the Committee should focus on specific areas. She emphasized the importance of the Committee selecting an option that is effective and efficient.

Ex Officio Committee Member Kawano asked about the purpose of the Board amending or creating new policies. He stated that it might be more efficient for the taskforces to present their recommendations for Board approval.

Committee Member Uemura explained that the Committee would need to review policies to determine whether new policies are necessary to help with the implementation of the taskforces’ recommendations. He stated that he prefers the first or third option because these options present a specific and clear process. Committee Member Uemura stated that he understands Committee Member Cox’s concerns but noted that Superintendent Christina Kishimoto could delegate and coordinate work to ensure that the various Department offices are not overburdened.

Committee Member Payne stated that her concern regarding the first option is that the Department would need to meet the Committee’s deadlines during the busiest time of the school year. She highlighted that the third option provides the Committee with authority over the process and has a flexible timeline. She noted that the Committee might need to adjust the timeline as it moves forward.

Ex Officio Committee Member Kawano asked if the Committee is determining a process in which to develop policies. Committee Member Uemura clarified that the Committee is determining a process to review policies for a specific purpose. Ex Officio Committee Member Kawano asked if the Department could move forward in implementing recommendations without any policy changes. He stated that the entire process could take time, and the Department could present on its next steps at the following Board meeting.

Committee Member Cox stated that the existing Board policies are broad. She noted that the Department would need to communicate whether any existing policies prevent implementation at the state level, complex and level, or school level. Committee Member Cox noted that the Board might need to create new policies to support implementation of the recommendations.

Committee Member Voss stated that the Department should implement recommendations that it is currently able to and noted that there should be no excuses for delaying action unless the Department needs additional funding or new or revised Board policies to implement the recommendations.

Committee Member Uemura agreed with Committee Member Voss that the Department should begin to implement the recommendations that it is currently able to implement. He suggested that the Committee consider deferring action to review the Special Education Task Force’s recommendations.

Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that his preference is the first option rather than the third option. He explained that the first option is not limited to review of Board policies and includes review of all other policies, such as rules, regulations, and guidelines. He detailed that the Department develops rules, procedures, and guidelines that align with Board policies and noted that the Committee needs to review regulations outside of Board policies to determine whether there are issues with implementation. He highlighted that the first option allows for a more thorough review.

Ex Officio

Committee Member Kawano left at 10:24 a.m.

Covell detailed that other Board committees would be considering timelines and options to review specific areas. She stated that the Department’s preference is the third option because it allows the Department to support the Committee after the Committee reviews the Board’s policies. She detailed that the EL Task Force reviewed credit requirements for general education teachers and noted that this is an example of a potential policy where the Department could provide its input. Covell noted that the Department has implemented several recommendations, but other recommendations require additional resources or policy. She expressed concern over the first option due to the timeline because the Department would have competing priorities in the beginning of the school year.

Committee Member Voss stated that the Committee could recommend that Board policies align with strategic priorities. He asked if any existing policies prevent implementation of the recommendations. Heidi Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Student Support Services, stated that new policies might be necessary for the Department to move forward on implementing recommendations and emphasized the importance of dialogue between the Board and Department.

Committee Member Uemura asked about the Department’s feedback on the first and third options. Covell stated that the timelines for both options are problematic because deadlines coincide with the start of the school year. She stated that the third option is preferable because the Committee reviews policies prior to the Department doing its own review and providing support.

Committee Member Uemura stated that he no longer suggests that the Committee defer action. He stated that it is important for the Committee to begin reviewing policies to determine whether policies support the taskforces’ recommendations.

Board Member Voss stated that he supports the third option because it provides the Department with flexibility. He noted that the Committee might need to adjust deadlines and its timeline to account for the Department’s competing priorities and to ensure that it does not overburden the Department.

Committee Chairperson Takeno stated that the Committee would need to vote on the first and third option. He noted that the deadlines in the third option’s timeline are subject to change, if necessary.

The motion to adopt option one for a work plan and timeline as described in Committee Chairperson Takeno’s memorandum dated August 1, 2019 failed with Committee Members Cox and Uemura voting aye and Committee Members Barcarse, Namauʻu, Payne, and Voss voting nay.

ACTION: Motion to adopt option three for a work plan and timeline as described in Committee Chairperson Takeno’s memorandum dated August 1, 2019, provided that the timeline is subject to change, if necessary (Voss/Payne). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

V. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Takeno adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m.